If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Beth Saravo Part of Sa-Rock's upcoming tour with Rah Digga is celebrating fifty years of hip hop, and her latest single is pure classic hip hop. "Talk to Me Nice" sounds like it was released in the early 90's. It has more in common with artists like A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul than anything being made in 2023. Most modern hip hop is more of a hybrid form with pop and electronic music. "Talk to Me Nice" is just hip hop. It's amazing how fresh a song can sound by reaching back into the past like this. Sa-Roc also has this flow that's irresistible. It somehow has the force of rappers like Chuck D and KRS-One with the laid back charm of Snoop Dogg. This is an artist you're going to want to keep a close eye on. You can watch the video for "Talk to Me Nice" below. The song is available as a single via Rhymesayers Entertainment. For more on Sa-Roc, check out the artist's website . Upcoming tour dates are below the video. 8...

Photo by Mitch Ranger Photography  Mustard Plug have been around for over thirty years now, which by default makes them ska punk legends. Luckily, the Grand Rapids, MI band is still making some fantastic music, too. Their new single, "Fall Apart," shows they aren't mellowing out any time soon. It's upbeat and melodic ska that is going to be impossible not to dance to. It's everything you want from the genre: A generous amount of horns, high energy, and just fun in its most absolute form. We know ska gets shit on quite a bit by most music snobs, but maybe a ska focused mid-life crisis isn't a bad thing. You can watch the video for "Fall Apart" below. Where Did All My Friends Go? will be out September 8 on Bad Time Records, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Mustard Plug, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram . Upcoming tour dates are below the video. September 7th @ Reggie's - Chicago, IL w/ Toasters, Half Past Two Septembe...

Photo via Facebook New England's Kurt Baker makes some of the finest vintage sounding power pop out there. His latest single, "Rock 'n' Roll Club," is exactly what it sounds like it will be. This is just pure rock 'n' roll that heavily leans into its pop side. Of course, when we say "pop" we mean more 60's and 70's than Taylor Swift. It sounds like when the Ramones would cover classic rock tunes from the 60's, mixed with the sweetness of Big Star and the huge guitar solos of Cheap Trick. When you just want some killer rock songs, Kurt Baker is there for you. Kurt Baker says of his new song: "'Rock N Roll Club' is an ode to the live music venue - most notably, the dingy, dark, stale beer-smelling, sticker/poster-adorned walls of your local rock n' roll club. Where the music is always loud, the drinks are cheap(ish), and there are always great bands to be seen and friends to meet. Unfortunately in this day in age, The R...

Viv & Riley, the duo of Vivian Leva and Riley Calcagno, make some of the prettiest and most endearing modern day traditional folk pop out there. Their latest single, "Is It All Over," gets much more serious than what we'd expect from the North Carolina group. The song is about the climate apocalypse and billionaires racing into space. The song is more restrained and dour than we're used to from from Viv & Riley. It's still beautiful, but much more serious and somber. It's also interesting that the climate crisis is more of a subject for traditional and folk artists than punk rockers. You can watch the video for "Is It All Over" below. Imaginary People is due out September 15 on Free Dirt Records, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Viv & Riley, check out the artist's website .

Pennsylvania's Witch Weather started in 2013 when guitarist and vocalist Kaitlynn started off making music in her basement. Most of her lyrics focus on her experience being a transwoman, and Witch Weather (now including Juliann) is now described as a queer indie/punk/goth duo. Their new single, "Don't Need," fits that description perfectly. It reminds me of the modern dance friendly punk sounds of Mannequin Pussy, the indie noise of Sonic Youth, and the primal tones of The Stooges. It's the kind of song you simply can't ignore, and will inspire you to want to move in some form. Kaitlynn says of the new single: “'Don't Need' was me finally figuring out how to write an angry song. Normally when I try to do it the song turns into something sad and depressing but in this case we finally executed the way I would have liked. Especially on the album version of the track. Lyrically it's about being fed up with being taken advantage of. Recording the gu...

Photo by Tiny Studio Indonesia's Grrrl Gang are becoming masters of the melodic pop song with a punk edge. Their latest, "Blue-Stained Lips," sounds like it would have fit right in on the glory days of Lookout Records. It's a fun and upbeat punk rock song that is just bursting with melodies and catchy pop hooks. Plus, it's a gushing love song, and those are always better when there's a bit more of an attitude to keep the gushiness in check a bit. If anything, "Blue-Stained Lips" might be a bit too much fun, but we'll let Grrrl Gang get away with it because they're just that endearing. Angeeta Sentana says of her band's new song: “We were at a party one night, and I drank this blue cocktail, and it left a stain on my lips, making them blue. I thought I looked super ugly, but my boyfriend still thought I was perfect and kissed me, regardless. The line ‘Kiss me on my blue-stained lips’ is a metaphor for him liking me and accepting me for who...

Photo by Ian Castro The latest single from The Helltones don't sound like what you'd expect them to based on their name. The Oakland garage rockers go straight up soul and R&B on "When We're Moving." This song is pure vintage soul. It sounds like it could be a lost track from fifty to sixty years ago. But what sets "When We're Moving" apart from other modern vintage soul songs is just how rough it sounds. While most others are polished and shimmering smooth, The Helltones have an unexpected edge to their song, making it sound like a truly underground forgotten classic. By the time the horn kicks in, you'll be won over. You can listen to "When We're Moving" below. Medusa is due out November 17. For more on The Helltones, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram .

We know Sara Noelle mostly from her Christmas releases, but this time around she's covering a song from The Beta Band. "Dry the Rain" is the song from The Beta Band, particularly if you're a fan of the film version of High Fidelity. Noelle keeps the bones of the song intact, and her version is immediately recognizable as a cover of the classic. It's a bit slower, and lands somewhere between folk and dream pop. It's the kind of cover that's right in the middle of being a completely faithful version and a reimagining of the song.  You can listen to Sara Noelle take on "Dry the Rain" below. For more on Sara Noelle, check out the artist's website .

Photo by Christopher Sim Singapore's Subsonic Eye get compared to Sonic Youth a lot, but their latest single moves away from that sound quite a bit. "Yearning" may share some of the legendary post-punk group's guitar tunings, but the song is much lighter and poppy than anything Sonic Youth ever did. There are some elements of shoegaze and dream pop in "Yearning," but the song is mostly an alt-rock power pop song, and a fantastic one at that. It's such an engaging and delightful song that sucks you in immediately, and as soon as it's done it leaves you desperate for more. Nur Wahidah says of the band's new song: "In the past few years, opening my mind up to the little things around me allowed me to get closer with nature and myself. I felt like as I learnt more about my relationship with nature, the love I felt for my loved ones grew deeper (and vice versa). I feel that my love for nature (and myself) started to parallel the love I have for m...

CW: Self harm Typically when pop punk bands release a power ballad, that's when I start checking out. However, Rebuilder aren't your typical pop punk band, and their latest single is the perfect power ballad. "Stayin' Alive" is a song filled with pain. It's a gorgeous song filled with heartbreak, sadness, and hope. To explain the song, I'll take Sal Ellington's (vocals/guitar) words from a Facebook post. " The new Rebuilder song out today is a tough one. The lyrics might be the most honest I've ever been and deals with not wanting to be alive anymore. In my 20's during college I struggled the most with my mental health. I was so embarrassed to tell anyone and I'm still embarrassed about it. So many times I wanted to call someone or call a hotline but I didn't know how to explain that I'm not trying to hurt myself but I don't feel like I want to be on this earth anymore. I didn't know how to tell that to someone and have...

Photo by Kirt Barnett Nashville punks Be Your Own Pet continue their epic comeback with their latest single. Taking fifteen years off has done wonders for the band, and "Big Trouble" shows that off perfectly. The new song might be a little more reserved and melodic than BYOP were two decades ago, but aren't we all? "Big Trouble" sounds more like the new fangled punk the kids are doing these days, the kind that's a little poppy and more than a little dance friendly, but still firmly punk. Instead of sounding like these veterans are chasing a trend, this just shows how far ahead of their time they truly were. Singer Jemina Pearl says of the new single: “I live in a country that has taken away the basic human right to an abortion and then has the audacity to ask ‘why are you so angry? ‘Big Trouble’ is about how the daily injustices are all connected to the overarching societal issues of living in a patriarchy.” You can listen to "Big Trouble" below. M...

Photo by Kyler Vollmar When a band is described as skate punk, you know exactly what to expect. The genre hasn't deviated much in the past forty years except for some minor ones. Nuclear Tourism are going to change that. First of all, they're an Athens, GA based band, and they're upcoming album was produced by Jesse Mangum. (Not much skate punk gets produced by someone who has also produced Elf Power.) The band's new single, "No Never!," is definitely a skate punk song, albeit one heard through an Athens, GA filter. It's weirder than most, and gets a little screamier and neo-grunge-esque. Plus, there's a surprising amount of piano for a punk song. If you love your classic skate punk but want something new with it, you'll want to give Nuclear Tourism a shot. You can listen to "No Never!" below. Nuclear Tourism's self-titled album is out now via Baby Robot Records. For more on Nuclear Tourism, check out the band on Instagram and Facebo...

Photo by Jeff Spec Odario originally made "Do Nada" with Edmonton jazz band Good Information, but wanted to inject some new life into the single. He reached out to Toronto's Chaix, and the result is "Do Nada (Chaix Remix)." The track mixes hip hop with electronic music. In the press release, Odario says that the song "... is crafted specifically for your solo apartment party," and that vibe pretty much nails it. It's an upbeat party song, but in a laid back, chilled kind of way. It's not a wild and crazy song, more of a just kind of grooving by yourself song. You're going to want to check this one out. You can watch the video for "Do Nada (Chaix Remix)" below. It was loosely inspired by The Big Lebowski , if you need more convincing. For more on Odario, check out the artist on Instagram and Twitter .

Photo by Ken Sears Even though it's happened, I still can't believe I got to see Kathleen Hanna come through Boston twice in three months. Bikini Kill played back in April, and Le Tigre swung through this past Monday. Maybe the entire concept of seeing Bikini Kill and Le Tigre mere months apart, or maybe it was that the show had been announced six months earlier, but I almost kept forgetting it was happening. It did happen, and it was glorious. The band opened with "My Art," a song they had not yet played on this tour. They ended up stopping it as there was some mistake, which led to a discussion of how much they liked the Netflix show Starting Over , and then Small Wonder got brought up before they realized they should get back to playing. This being Le Tigre, the crowd did not get upset at all and were willing to go along with anything. At one point Kathleen Hanna said that she wanted the night to feel like a basement party, and despite the show being at the two tho...

Jack Graham is the solo project of Justin Keane of Canyons and Locusts, and just released his debut single. "Risen Was the Day Before" is a song of pure emotion. The song could be considered quiet if it wasn't for how loud the guitar is throughout. It's an oddly stripped down song, but the guitar reverb is so strong and persistent that it's hard to think of this as a stripped down track. It's a raw and powerful track, recorded the week after the untimely passing of Justine Covault.  You can listen to "Risen Was the Day Before" below. The song is currently available via Bandcamp . For more on Jack Graham, check out Canyons and Locusts' Facebook page . Risen Was The Day Before by Jack Graham

Photo by Jillian Clark The latest single from Lydia Loveless is completely different from virtually anything we've heard from them in the past, while still being completely in their back catalog. "Runaway" is a heartbreaking ballad that doesn't sound like anything being made in 2023. It's almost an 80's power ballad with some alt-country twang and somehow just the slightest punk edge. Everything Loveless has in her is being poured into this song. It's a gorgeous song that is going to drag some emotions out of you, based just on the feelings in Loveless' vocals. The beauty in "Runaway" is needed considering how painful this song feels. Lydia Loveless says of their new single: “This was one of the very first songs I wrote for this record.  I hated it, but my friend Amy was giving me assignments and pushing me to write my way through heartache while I was crashing on her couch. She would send me out with a notebook and tell me not to come back u...

As any long time reader of If It's Too Loud... knows, I try to get out to see Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys every chance I get. They don't play a ton of shows, so when they do, it's always An Event. Friday night was being billed as the party of the summer, and seeing how Sapling, Astral Bitch, and dropbear were also on the bill, that claim was hardly hyperbole.  dropbear opened the show, and... just... wow. I really enjoyed last year's Spiralized EP, but I was unprepared for just how great they would be live. Rachel Bacon's vocals were lost in the mix during the first two songs, but once that issue was corrected, it turns out the power in her voice is only matched by the power of the band. Musically, dropbear combines shoegaze with metal and post-punk into this sonic mix that is mind-blowing, particularly live. There were guitar sounds coming from the stage Friday night that were simply jaw dropping. As with all four bands on the bill, dropbear are of...

Thelma and the Sleaze are one of those bands that I saw their name on a Facebook event, and just knew I had to hear them. Turns out their blend of sexed up southern rock, hard rock, and indie was even more fun than their name suggested. I immediately wanted to see them live, and when it was announced they were playing O'Brien's in Allston with Tysk Tysk Task opening, I obviously had to make it. Thelma and the Sleaze's live show turned out to be even more fun than I expected. In fact, it's the most fun show I've been to in years. Their sound mixes the most fun genres (hard rock, country, southern rock, and even some disco) into just a party on stage. Singer Lauren "LG" Gilbert set the tone for the evening by declaring that everyone there had one thing in common: "We all love eating pussy and we all hate Trump." From there it was a night of songs (and onstage banter) about eating pussy, eating ass, and fuckin'. But, in a completely charming way...

Photo by Steve Simko Nu-gaze legends Film School are back with a second single off their upcoming album. "All I'll Ever Be" is that slice of shoegaze that is decidedly more laid back and melodic. It's probably a little more dream pop than shoegaze, just based on how lovely the song is. It's bordering on being a more alt-rock/pop track, and leans into the worlds of bands like The Sundays and Mazzy Star, but the guitars are just off-kilter enough to keep "All I'll Ever Be" in shoegaze. This song just feels like a lazy Sunday, when you know you have stuff to do, but you just kind of want to lounge around doing next to nothing all day. You can listen to "All I'll Ever Be" below. Field is due out August 25 on felte, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Film School, check out the band's website .

Early, vintage rock and roll is a musical sweet spot of mine, so I'm obviously going to love 3LH. The southern California band have released a new single, "Blue Collar Blues." Much like their previous singles, it's a perfect mixture of surf rock, early rock and roll, and modern garage/punk. What's great about 3LH is even though their music is partially a throwback to music that is decades old, they still make it sound fresh. Sure, a song like "Blue Collar Blues" may hit some nostalgia buttons for us, but it still feels like you're discovering something new and exciting. Frontman Rafa Heredia says of the new single: "This is a song about self reflection after having maybe a pint too many at your favorite divey hole in the wall, it’s a callback to tracks like 'Alabama song (Whisky Bar)' by The Doors - the song lends itself to telling a fun twisted story while not taking itself too seriously." You can listen to "Blue Collar Blues...

San Jose, CA's Star 99 are influenced by 90's jangly power pop, and you can hear that on "Girl." The song sounds like track fourteen on your favorite 90's soundtrack. It's the song by that band you've never heard of before, and you can't find anything else by in the pre-internet world. It's impossibly upbeat, but has a surprisingly dark guitar keeping it from getting too cheery... and also making the entire thing just a little menacing. This is a ridiculously fun song in the vein of artists like Fuzzy and Velocity Girl. If that sounds like your kind of thing, you'll end up loving Star 99. You can listen to "Girl" below. Bitch Unlimited is due out August 4 on Lauren Records, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp . For more on Star 99, check out the band on Instagram . Bitch Unlimited by Star 99

Photo via Facebook It's been five years since Puppy Problems released their debut album, but luckily they are back with new music. The Boston band have released "Rainbow Flag," which is less about rainbow flags than it is about the changing musical landscape of the city. The song is an odd bedroom country song that meanders around a twangy, heartfelt story about record stores that no longer host shows and friends' homes now occupied by Harvard students. It also talks about how we can never appreciate the present because we're always obsessed with the past. And it does all this in under two minutes. You can listen to "Rainbow Flag" below. Winter in Fruitland  is due out September 22 on Anything Bagel, and is available for pre-order via Bandcamp . For more on Puppy Problems, check out the artist on Facebook . Winter In Fruitland by Puppy Problems

Photo by Mary Reily As the shoegaze genre continues to splinter into subgenres, we now have a new one: Southern shoegaze. That sound is brought to us by Doggy Daycare out of Wilmington, NC. On their new single, "(forgetting) sarah marshall," the quartet show off the sheer force shoegaze can have behind it. The song is drenched with 90's indie rock reverb and much as the lush drone of shoegaze. It's more of a hybrid of early Smashing Pumpkins and My Bloody Valentine, with just enough of a Southern twang to keep things unique and interesting. "(forgetting) sarah marshall" is the kind of single that's going to make you thrilled to find out what a band does next. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long to hear more from Doggy Daycare. You can listen to "(forgetting) sarah marshall" below. I Love My Friends will be released on Fort Lowell Records. For more on Doggy Daycare, check out the band on Instagram . (forgetting) sarah marshall by Doggy ...

Photo by Jenny Risher For a couple of decades now, Alice Cooper has been a guilty pleasure of mine. I always feel the need to explain that his earlier 70's music is much better and an important example of proto-punk, but that might change with his upcoming album. The latest single from that album, "White Line Frankenstein," once again merges his earlier Detroit proto-punk sound with his 80's era metal for a sound that will work for fans of all periods. Plus, it's fantastically theatrical, which is a must for any true Alice Cooper song. If you're looking for an extra level of coolness, the song also features Tom Morello on guitar! "White Line Frankenstein" is pure rock 'n' roll with the only excess being killer metal riffs, and you just can't go wrong with that. Alice Cooper says of his new song: “White Line Frankenstein is a monster that we created. It’s a truck driver who’s been out there a long time. He's the king of the road. He do...